Jewelry with interhchangeable decorative components

ABSTRACT

A jewelry item has a post and a decorative component thereon. The post has a length defined between an upper end and a bottom end, a fastening means attached to the upper end and a stopper permanently fixed to the bottom end. A first outer circumference of the fastening means is less than a second outer circumference of the stopper. The decorative component has a central opening with a third inner circumference, wherein the third inner circumference of the decorative component is greater than first outer circumference of the fastening means and less than the second outer circumference of the stopper. The central opening of the decorative component is sized such that the fastening means of the post passes through the central opening of the decorative component and connects the decorative component to the post.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/954,600, filed Aug. 8, 2007.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the field of ornamentaljewelry, and particularly to a mechanism that expedites the process ofchanging the overall jewelry appearance and utilizes a permanentlyattached stopper to prevent individual ornamental jewelry decorativecomponents from sliding off the mechanism.

It has become quite common for people to wear personalized jewelry.Personalized jewelry contains decorative components such as letters,colors, shapes or other forms of decoration. The wearer can choose tomanipulate these components in any manner he/she wishes to achieve adesired overall personal look. Many people choose not to purchasepersonalized jewelry because of the expenses of cost and labor involvedin the customization process.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,882 (hereinafter “the '882 patent”) issued Nov. 14,1989 entitled “Jewelry With Interchangeable Elements” disclosesdecorative components that include a central hole. The decorativecomponents slide over on the post and are held on a stopper that ismanually secured to the bottom of the post. However, because the stopperis not permanently or securely attached to the vertical post with aclutch or threads, this mechanism may fail to completely secure thedecorative components potentially causing loss of the decorativecomponents.

In addition, the product disclosed in the '882 patent requires thejewelry wearer to remove the stopper from the post in order to changethe decorative components or elements. Such a process can be cumbersomewhen the wearer physically removes the stopper and changes thedecorative components because the decorative elements are physicallyseparate from the post. This process can also result in the wearerlosing decorative components while attempting to change the look of thejewelry.

SUMMARY

In embodiments, a jewelry post including a rod having a length definedbetween an upper end and a bottom end, wherein the rod has a midpointlocated at the middle of the length between the upper end and the bottomend of the rod is provided. The jewelry post has a fastening means forsecuring the post to a chain, an earring and/or the like. The fasteningmeans is attached or fixed to the upper end of the post and has a firstouter circumference. Moreover, the jewelry post includes a stopper thatis permanently attached or fixed to the bottom end of the post, whereinthe stopper has a second outer circumference, wherein the secondcircumference of the stopper is greater than the first circumference ofthe fastening means, wherein the fastening means, the stopper and thepost are integrally formed as a single piece. Alternatively, thefastening means, the stopper and the post may be separately formed andsubsequently attached or fixed to each other.

In embodiments, the rod is curved at least along a portion of the lengthof the post.

In embodiments, a distance between an upper end and a bottom end of therod is less than a distance between the midpoint of the rod and theupper end or the bottom end of the rod.

In embodiments, the jewelry post also is used in combination with achain or earring that retains the fastening means of the rod.

In another embodiment, a jewelry item including a post having a lengthdefined between an upper end and a bottom end. The jewelry item has afastening means for securing the post to a chain, an earring or thelike. The fastening means is attached to the upper end and a stopper isfixed at the bottom end. A first outer circumference of the fasteningmeans is less than a second outer circumference of the stopper, whereinthe post has a midpoint located at the middle of the length of the postbetween the upper end and the bottom end of the post. The jewelry itemalso includes a decorative component having a central opening with athird circumference, wherein the third inner circumference of thedecorative component is greater than first outer circumference of thefastening means and less than the second outer circumference of thestopper, wherein the central opening of the decorative component issized such that the fastening means of the post passes through thecentral opening of the decorative component and the decorative componentis located between the fastening means and the stopper of the post forconnecting the decorative component to the post.

In embodiments, the fastening means, the stopper and the post areintegrally formed as a single piece.

In embodiments, the central opening of the decorative component has across sectional shape that is different than a cross-sectional shape ofthe post.

In embodiments, the post is curved at least along a portion of thelength of the post.

In embodiments, the decorative component is donut-shaped, ring-shaped,barrel-shaped, cone-shaped, polygonal-shaped or wheel-shaped.

In embodiments, the jewelry item also includes a chain or an earringthat retains the fastening means of the post.

In yet another embodiment, a method is provided that includes a step ofproviding a jewelry post having a length defined between an upper endand a bottom end of the jewelry post. The jewelry post has a fasteningmeans for securing the jewelry post to a chain, an earring and/or thelike. The fastening means is attached to the upper end and a stopper isfixed to the bottom end, wherein the jewelry post has a midpoint locatedat a middle of the length between the upper end and the bottom end,wherein a first outer circumference of the fastening means is less thana second outer circumference of the stopper. Further, the methodincludes a step of providing a first decorative component having acentral opening, wherein the central opening of the first decorativecomponent has a third inner circumference that is greater than the firstouter circumference of the fastening means and less than the secondouter circumference of the stopper. Moreover, the method includes thestep of sliding the fastening means of the jewelry post through thecentral opening of the first decorative component, wherein the firstdecorative component is located on the jewelry post and between theupper end and the bottom end of the jewelry post.

In embodiments, the fastening means, the stopper and the jewelry postare integrally formed as a single piece.

In embodiments, the method further includes the step of resting thefirst decorative component on a top of the stopper of the jewelry post.

In embodiments, the method further includes the step of attaching thejewelry post to an earring or a chain via the fastening means or othermeans of the jewelry post.

In embodiments, the method further includes the step of replacing thefirst decorative component with a second decorative component.

In embodiments, the central opening of the first decorative componenthas a cross-sectional shape that is different than a cross-sectionalshape of the jewelry post.

In embodiments, the post is curved at least along a portion of thelength of the post.

In embodiments, a distance between an upper end and a bottom end of thepost is less than a distance between the midpoint of the post and theupper end or the bottom end of the post.

In embodiments, the first decorative component is donut-shaped,ring-shaped, barrel-shaped, cone-shaped, polygonal-shaped orwheel-shaped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side plan view of a jewelry post and a decorativecomponent in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side plan view of a decorative component inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of a decorative component inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side plan view of a jewelry post in accordance withthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side plan view of a jewelry post in accordance withthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side plan view of a jewelry post in accordance withthe present disclosure.

EMBODIMENTS

The mechanism will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. FIGS. 1and 2 show a jewelry post 1 which may have a rod 4 vertical andgenerally perpendicular to a top surface 7 of the stopper 6.Alternatively, the rod 4 may be curved at least along a portion of alength of the rod 4 as shown in FIGS. 4-6. The top end or upper end ofthe rod 4 terminates with a fastening means 2. The fastening means 2 maybe attached or fixed to the upper end of the rod 4 for securing thejewelry post 1 to a chain, an earring and/or the like. The stopper 6 maybe attached or fixed to the rod 4. The top surface 7 of the stopper 6may be adjacent to the fastening means 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In embodiments, the rod 4, the fastening means 2 and/or the stopper 6may be integrally formed as a single piece. Alternatively, the rod 4,the fastening means 2 and/or the stopper 6 may be separately formed andsubsequently fixed to each other.

In embodiments, the fastening means 2 may be, for example, a loop asshown in FIGS. 1-6. Alternatively, the fastening means may be, forexample, a clasp, a J-shaped hook, an earring clamp and/or the like. Itshould be understood that fastening means 2 may be any fastening meansknown to one ordinarily skilled in the art capable of securing thejewelry post 1 to a chain, an earring and/or the like.

The rod 4 may be a long narrow rod having a cross-sectional shape, suchas, for example, a polygon, a circle, an oval, triangle and/or the like.The present disclosure should not be deemed as limited to a specificembodiment of the cross-sectional shape of the rod 4.

A design element or decorative component 5 may slide over the fasteningmeans 2 on the rod 4 and may rest adjacent the top surface 7 of thestopper 6 at a bottom end of the rod 4 as shown in FIG. 1. Thedecorative component 5 may be, for example, a donut-shaped, ring-shapedor wheel-shaped. The present disclosure should not be deemed as limitedto a specific embodiment of the shape of the decorative component 5.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the jewelry post 1 without the decorativecomponent 5. The rod 4 shown in FIG. 2 may be vertically oriented and/ormay be straight, curved or of any other shape so long as the post issubstantially vertical.

In embodiments, the decorative component 5 may have a shapesubstantially similar to a donut or a ring as shown in FIG. 3. Thedecorative component 5 may also be, for example, a decorative wheel. Thedecorative component 5 may have a central opening 8. In embodiments, across-sectional shape of the central opening 8 may be different than thecross-sectional shape of the rod 4.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate embodiments of the rod 4, wherein the rod 4 may becurved at least along a portion of the length of the rod 4. In FIGS. 4and 5, the rod 4 has an S-shape and a C-shape, respectively. The presentdisclosure should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment ofthe shape of the rod 4 which may be curved at least along a portion ofthe length of the rod 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates the jewelry post 1 having a ring-shape. The jewelrypost may have a midpoint 10 located at the middle of the length of therod 4 between the upper end and bottom end of the rod 4. As shown inFIG. 6, a distance between the fastening means 2 at the upper end andstopper 6 at the bottom end is less than a distance between the midpoint10 of the rod 4 and the fastening means 2 or the stopper 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, the decorative component 5 slides over the fasteningmeans 2 and on the rod 4 and rests adjacent the top surface 7 of thestopper 6. A user changes the decorative components by sliding themupwardly over the fastening means 2 and off the rod 4. The user mayreplace the decorative component 5 with other decorative elements havingsimilar central openings as central opening 8 of the decorativecomponent 5. Since the rod 4 and stopper 6 remain integral as a singlepiece, the process to change such elements is safer and easier toaccomplish. In embodiments, multiple decorative elements may be added toreside on the post simultaneously.

The fastening means 2 of the post 1 can be attached to an earring (notshown in the figures) or can allow a chain (not shown in the figures) topass there through to enable the post 1 and decorative component 5 toserve as a pendant.

It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Also,various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequentlymade by those skilled in the art, and are also intended to beencompassed by the following claims.

In this regard, the invention also comprises a combination of a chain orearring with the inventive jewelry post 1 and the decorative component5.

1. A jewelry post comprising: a rod having a length defined between anupper end and a bottom end, wherein the rod has a midpoint located atthe middle of the length between the upper end and the bottom end of therod; fastening means for securing the jewelry post to a chain or anearring is attached to the upper end of the post, wherein the fasteningmeans has a first outer circumference; and a stopper attached to thebottom end of the post, wherein the stopper has a second outercircumference, wherein the second outer circumference of the stopper isgreater than the first outer circumference of the fastening means. 2.The jewelry post according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means, thestopper and the post are integrally formed as a single piece.
 3. Thejewelry post according to claim 1, wherein the rod is curved at leastalong a portion of the length of the rod.
 4. The jewelry post accordingto claim 1, wherein the rod is ring-shaped in profile.
 5. A jewelry itemcomprising the jewelry post according to claim 1 used in combinationwith a chain or an earring that retains the fastening means of thejewelry post.
 6. A jewelry item comprising: a post having a lengthdefined between an upper end and a bottom end, wherein the fasteningmeans is attached to the upper end and a stopper is fixed to the bottomend, a first outer circumference of the fastening means is less than asecond outer circumference of the stopper; and a decorative componenthaving a central opening with a third inner circumference, wherein thethird inner circumference of the decorative component is greater thanfirst outer circumference of the fastening means and less than thesecond outer circumference of the stopper, wherein the central openingof the decorative component is sized such that the fastening means ofthe post passes through the central opening of the decorative componentand connects the decorative component to the post.
 7. The jewelry itemaccording to claim 6, wherein the fastening means, the stopper and thepost are integrally formed as a single piece.
 8. The jewelry itemaccording to claim 6, wherein the central opening of the decorativecomponent has a cross-sectional shape that is different than a crosssectional shape of the post.
 9. The jewelry item according to claim 6,wherein the post is curved at least along a portion of the length of thepost.
 10. The jewelry item according to claim 6, wherein the post isring-shaped in profile.
 11. The jewelry item according to claim 6,wherein the decorative component is donut-shaped, ring-shaped,barrel-shaped, cone-shaped, polygonal-shaped or wheel-shaped.
 12. Anornamental jewelry item comprising the jewelry item according to claim 6in combination with a chain or an earring that retains of the fasteningmeans of the post.
 13. A method comprising the steps of: providing ajewelry post having a length defined between an upper end and a bottomend of the jewelry post, wherein fastening means for securing thejewelry post to a chain or an earring is attached to the upper end and astopper is fixed to the bottom end, wherein the jewelry post has amidpoint located at a middle of the length between the upper end and thebottom end, wherein a first outer circumference of the fastening meansis less than a second outer circumference of the stopper; providing afirst decorative component having a central opening, wherein the centralopening of the first decorative component has a third innercircumference that is greater than the first outer circumference of thefastening means and less than the second outer circumference of thestopper; and sliding the fastening means of the jewelry post through thecentral opening of the first decorative component, wherein the firstdecorative component is located on the jewelry post between the upperend and the bottom end of the jewelry post.
 14. The method according toclaim 13, further comprising the step of: resting the first decorativecomponent adjacent a top surface of the stopper of the jewelry post. 15.The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of:attaching the jewelry post to an earring or a chain via the fasteningmeans of the jewelry post.
 16. The method according to claim 13, furthercomprising the step of: replacing the first decorative component with asecond decorative component.
 17. The method according to claim 13,wherein the central opening of the first decorative component has across-sectional shape that is different than a cross sectional shape ofthe post.
 18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the post iscurved at least along a portion of the length of the post.
 19. Themethod according to claim 13, wherein the post is ring-shaped inprofile.
 20. The method according to claim 13, wherein the firstdecorative component is donut-shaped, ring-shaped, barrel-shaped,cone-shaped, polygonal-shaped or wheel-shaped.